The song has distinctive instrumentation, including an oboe solo, liberal use of the mellotron's famous "three violins" tape set, and much processing of the other instruments by Brian Eno via his Electronic Music Studios VCS3 synthesizer and tape echo. The sound in the start of the song was created by Brian Eno, after Bryan Ferry asked him to produce something reminiscent of the Lunar Landing.
Lyrically, it presents Ferry as a Casanova-style seducer of women, whilst being simultaneously enraptured by them. Another interpretation is that the Ladytron is a female robot (hence the name), being seduced by Ferry.
The Times has called Ladytron one of Roxy Music's "best loved songs."
Ladytron
Roxy Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got me all around town
You've got me girl on the run around
And it's getting me down, getting me down
Lady if you want to find a lover
Then you look no further
For I'm gonna be your only
Searching at the start of the season
Is that I'll get to you
I'll find some way of connection
Hiding my intention
Then I'll move up close to you
I'll use you and I'll confuse you
And the I'll lose you
Still you won't suspect me
The lyrics of Roxy Music's song Ladytron depict a man who is completely smitten with a woman who is leading him on a wild goose chase. He is chasing her all over town, hoping to catch her attention and become her one and only lover. He promises her that he will search for her at the start of every season, and that she need not look any further than him for love.
However, the woman seems to be toying with him, and he is getting tired of the game. He knows that she is difficult to pin down, but he vows to use every trick in the book to win her over. He will hide his intentions and move in close to her, hoping to use and confuse her until she falls for him.
The lyrics of Ladytron are full of the classic tropes of love and romance, but there is a sense of darkness and manipulation that gives the song an added edge. It is unclear whether the man truly loves the woman, or if he is just obsessed with the chase. The lyrics suggest that he is willing to use her and lose her just to prove himself right. This creates a sense of tension and unease that is not often present in love songs.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got me girl on the run around run around
You have made me feel confused and unsure of what to do or where to go.
You've got me all around town
Your influence is felt throughout the entire city.
You've got me girl on the run around
You are leading me on a wild chase that I cannot escape.
And it's getting me down, getting me down
Your actions are causing me mental distress and making me unhappy.
Lady if you want to find a lover
If you are seeking a romantic partner, I may be the one you are looking for.
Then you look no further
You don't need to search any further than me.
For I'm gonna be your only
I intend to be your sole romantic interest.
Searching at the start of the season
I am looking for you at the beginning of the season, hoping to catch your attention early on.
And my only reason
My sole motivation is to win your affections.
Is that I'll get to you
I won't stop until I've caught your eye and secured your heart.
I'll find some way of connection
I will come up with a plan to approach you and make a connection.
Hiding my intention
I will conceal my true motive for pursuing you.
Then I'll move up close to you
I will make a physical move to get close to you and engage with you directly.
I'll use you and I'll confuse you
I will manipulate and befuddle you to further my own interests.
And then I'll lose you
Once I've achieved my desired result, I will discard you and move on.
Still you won't suspect me
Despite my true intention being revealed, you will likely not suspect me of any wrongdoing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@honiideslysses12
Love it how Manzanera and Eno just go off towards the coda. Awesome example of amazing art rock.
@NormAppleton
Even better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVeKIroLwQE
@Undulate100
Instruments mimed.
@Cl4rendon
What a gem - They were so ahead of the game.
@DrRestezi
My god this is fabulous. No band ever sounded or looked like this, and 46 years later it's still utterly unique. Simply mind blowing talent in this lineup.
@oppothumbs1
I like a lot of Roxy, not this song. The melody is good but too much mellotron and flute. Not into electronica. I guess Art Prog or more experimental stuff is not my thing so much. My favs are Love is the Drug, Virginia Plain, Avalon, More than this, Dance Away, Out of the Blue, All I want is You. And don't savage me but Brian Eno is not my thing at least on this song. Wondering if Peter Gabriel is going to pop out of Genesis and help out with some prancing around.
@lanajeanvecchione9659
@Oppothumbs M Its definitely better to view live than listen to on vinyl may have passed this up if not for the performance art aspect - like those fly eye shades in the guitar player, lol. Wow.
@theoutlawjeezywales6217
@Oppothumbs M no Mother of Pearl on that list of yours.....
@williamcarter4710
LoL
@bartjoy5179
True! Great sense of style and unique sound. They were fresh and still feel like that.